WELLINGTON NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1927, Page 1

WELLINGTON NEWS

LATEST AVAILABLE STATISTICS

(Special to “ Guardian.”)

WELLINGTON, April II

The statistics furnished in the March number of the “Monthly Abstract" arc interesting. The quantity of butter exported in the two months of January and February amounted to 285,86 lewt as compared with 265.490 owl in the corresponding two months of last year, an increase of 17,37-lewt. Tho values were £2,097,0)33 against fi2.0T1.590. The cheese exported in the two months was 346,138 cwt against 314.979 cwt, an increase of 31.159ewt, ImL notwithstanding this expansion the value declined, the figures being £1,268,990 against £1,391.95-3. a decrease of £12.3,90.3. Adding casein, dried and preserved milk, the value of the dairy produce exported during the two months totalled £3.500,247 against £3,570,132 in the corresponding months of 'list. year, a decrease of £09,8)3)3.

There was a big increase in the exports of frozen lamb, the figures Tor thr' first two months of the year show that :!89.<i.3llr:wt was exported as against 237.019ewt in the two months of last year, un increase of 152,000 cwt, and tlie values were £1 ..106.090, against £89.3.8.33, a. gain of £510,237. The exports of mutton were smaller, the figures being 173.17 lewt against 19.8.5.72( w(. and the values £369,780 against £197.26.3. 'the shipments of beef were very small amounting to only 16,761 ewt against 43,135 cwt. and the values ■£20,601 against £60,389. Taking all classes of men I. frozen, salted, preserved and potted, the value of the .shipments for the two months was £1,933.253 against £1.534,031. an increase of £399,222. which Is in striking contrast to the dairy results. Tho shipments of wool lor the two months show gains in both quantity ‘and value. The quantity was 1907,085 hales against 167,280 hales, and the value £3,721.131 against £3.262,0-17. Hides, skins and pelts yielded a better return than last year the shipments for the two months realising £353.822 against £280.013, an increase of £73.809. Hemp yielded less money although the ’quantity exported was larger. For the two months of Ibis year 3052 tons were exported against 301-1 tons, and value £93,732 against £96,015. The tallow exports were 2671 Inns against 2899 toils. And the value £87,000 against £108,082. The exports of sawn timber declined, Ihe quantity being 4.958,055 sup. It., against 5,261,775 sup. ft., and the value £51,892 against, £60,897. The imports of sawn timber on the other hand increased. For the two months 9.197,899 ft were imported. against 8.990.872 ft, an increase of 527,02711 and the values were £107.397 against £102,661; there was also imported other limber to the value of £52,083 against £29,324. There was a big reduction in the number of motor vehicle-. imported, the figures for the two months lining 3681 against 5202. a decrease of 1521. and the values were £512.120 against £830.928. a shrinkage of £2BB.SOS. THE BUTTER POSITION. Dalgefy and Co’s diirv produce circular, dated February 23. gives some idea of I lie state of the market prior to tho Board allandoning price-fixing. The circular reports: “The sales of the controlled butter has been so limited that stocks have accumulated until it is estimated ikht the stocks in hand here, a float and available for shipment in New Zealand is in tho neighbourhood oT 1,250,000 boxes, an .alarming total. Sueli sales as have been made have been principally confined lo favourite brands. When till brands are limited to n Hat rale it follows that buyers in a dull market only pay attention to the best known nfakes. This seems detrimental to the lesser known factories. The minimum prices were advanced by 2s per ewt on I ehruahy 12. lint this was apparently not justified by the demand because prices wore on February 21 reduced by 8s per ewt. It is too early to form a fair opinion as to the effect of this reduction, hut so far buyers Ffnve not responded and will endeavour to torce .| further decline by continuing to buy from hand to mouth in view ol the accumulated Stocks and the dull retail trade which they seem disinclined to foster. Australian butter has been selling relatively freely. Importers are able to meet the market and hoop fairly clear ol stocks. As buyers ate well disposed to Australian butter ii seems that prices of Australian and New Zealand must he on 100 high a level for the public, or the unusually small arrivals should go readily into consumption, this being the main selling season lor these descriptions, and arrivals during January being light. Danish has been selling freely at high prices, but this is a special trade with a particular section ol the community who demand Danish cask butter and will take no other description regardless of respective values. The margin between Australian and Danish is nevertheless remarkable and gives cause for reflect ion as to tlie reason for the deplorable state of the butter market resulting in the accumulation of Now Zealand marks at a time ot year when arrivals should he eagerly inquired for to meet the consumptive demand dur jug the European winter."